It appears Zod and his 3 Kryptocronies have moved off planet, Planet Jekuul to be exact, and have just kicked the snot out of GL Hal Jordan (and K. Hanger-on Rayner). [Their last stint was in Action #984, right?] And SPOILER: Jon doesn't. Who's in?

It's been some days since I first read this issue, but still the menace and tension linger on, thanks in large part to superb layout design from Rafo Sandoval and thanks also to a surprising, but shrewdly chosen, choice in antagonist in General Zod.
It's worth pondering a moment that although Zod became one of the principal recurring villains in the Superman mythos the two have, to my knowledge, never actually met directly before, despite only two years separating their debuts nearly seven decades ago now. Nevertheless clearly Hal Jordan has full knowledge of Zod and his history based on this issues encounter, perhaps being familiar with his Justice League comrades reports over the years has made him familiar, but whatever the origins of the awareness Jordan's impulsiveness upon being confronted with this surprise meeting brought forth one of his most regrettable, but consistent traits, his lack of thought and consideration on a problem, deferred in favor of instant action. It's an arrogance that has seen him brought low just the issue previous as he faced the manipulative Batman from another universe. In General Zod however the challenge is far more compelling thanks to the General's well established credentials and his obvious parallels to Hal's arch-rival Sinestro.
Wheareas Hal has familiarity and some understanding of the Korugarian's motives and character flaws however General Zod offers a different type of challenge, due both to his sheer physicality and the lack of firsthand experience with the man. Hence, while a surprising and unusual choice of a villain from Robert Venditti the appearance here does in essence make a very fine and bold choice. As in terms of strength of character and tactical genius Zod is one of the select handful of Superman and DC comics villains who matches up extremely well against the willful Hal Jordan and Corps.

Of course though, there is such a thing as TOO good a choice. General Zod's one-sided dismissal of the Corps' most distinguished Lantern does suggest not a lot more can be ground out of this meeting conceptually, If Hal is to mount any form of resistance against such an impossibly powerful, overwhelming, foe, then one has to work to the expectation that Robert Venditti will drive the story forward along strength of character and wits rather than any considerations of physical power. And a study and comparison of what makes Hal as a man any sort of a match for the formidably strong-willed Warlord that is General Zod offers such a tantalisingly fascinating reading spectacle that this new storyline may well turn out to be one of the most memorable stories of the year to come!

Certainly though, this was the best book out there for me last week. As 'Hal Jordan and...' often is in fact.

Available to Read, for Free! Fantasy Express #5. Go Back to 1983 - and meet Alan Moore in full, Read all about Countdown, And then there's Johnny Future...